Clasp for flexible fabrics.



No. 642,236; Patented 1an; 30, |900.

\ F. c. LAmMEH.

CLASP FR FLEXIBLE FABRICS.

(Application led Mar. 26, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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FANNIE O. LARIMER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

CLASP FOR FLEXIBLE FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,236, dated January 30, 1 900.

Application led March 26. 1897.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, FANNIE C. LARIMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Olasp for Flexible `Fabrics, of which the following is a specication.

The object of this invention is to provide a very cheap, simple, and convenient clasp which will be suitable for fastening flexible fabrics together or to ironing-boards and other fixed supports. The device is suitable for such use, for example, as to fasten childrens covering to cribs or bed-frames and also as a clasp for stocking and skirt supporters.

One advantage designed to be gained by my invention is to provide a clasp which is especially adapted to be easily fastened to ironin gboards to serve as a clasp for ironing-board covers and which will not be in the way and will not be liable to catch and hold or tear fabrics being ironed and which will not be liable to become unclasped accidentally, but which will be very easy to clasp and unclasp both tightlydrawn and loose fabrics indiscriminately.

One object is to form the entire clasp of but two single integral parts, which can each be formed by stamping. I do away with all necessity of assembling and riveting parts to form the clasp.

Another object is to make provision for easily releasing the clasp.

My invention comprises a clasp composed of two trough-shaped members contracted and outwardly flanged at their mouths and nested together, one or both of said members being resilient. Each of the members has a curved cross-sectional contour contracted at the base and is provided at the base with a laterallyprojecting attaching flange at one or both sides of the base, and the other member is a trough-shaped spring approximately fitting the base, but leaving sufcient space between the two to accommodate the fabric to be clamped.

My invention includes the several parts constructed substantially as herein set forth, ret'- erence being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

Figure l is a perspective view of my clasp as applied to an ironing-board, a fragment of Serial No. 629,422. (No model.)

which is shown with a portion of the ironingboard cover clasped in place. Fig. 2 is a crosssection through the hole 5. Fig. 3 is a detail showing the members of the clasp separate and the inside or base member provided with points integral with the attaching projections. Fig. 4. shows the appliance arranged for use as a skirt-supporter. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a clasp made slightly tapering. Line 5 5, Fig. 2, shows the line of section.

A indicates a sheet-metal trough-shaped member with lateral base-lianges a a', one or both having suitable means-such as the holes or slots l or points 2, for fastening the same to a strap, a garment, or ironing-board or other support.

B indicates a spring sheet-metal trough approximately fitting upon the inner or base memberA and provided with lateral Wings bb'.

In practical use on an ironing-board the base member A is fastened to the ironing-board or other support by suitable means, such as the points 2 or by tacks 3, driven through the holes in the base-flanges. A sufficient number of these bases are placed along the opposite edges of the under side of the ironingboard D to hold the cover E.

To clasp the cloth or cover, the cloth is first placed on the body portion of the base, (marked A in the drawings) and then the trough B is sprung into place over the cloth and body of the base. The trough B is of such size in relation to the body of-the base that its edges will extend into the recess or depressions 4. between the swell of the body and the anges a or, but will leave sufficient space between the edges or Wings b b of the trough and the base-flanges a a to accommodate the fabric which is to be clamped in place without springing the jaws or sides of the trough apart so much as to loosen the hold of the lips of the trough on the fabric. The Wings ZJ b are curved outward, so as to readily receive and slide over the rounded portion of the base member A. The two members of the clasp are outwardly flanged, as at a a' a a' o b b" 29', to afford means for handling and fastening the members. The cloth will be fastened first at one edge and will then be drawn tight over the ironing-board and clamped by the clamps on the other edge.

The clamp can be easily released by sliding IOO the trough along the tube of 'the base and thus off from such tube. VThe two members may be made slightly tapering, as indicated in Fig. 5, so that when started the other memtom of the trough midway between the opposite edges, causes the force in removing the trough to slide the trough off without can ting the trough, and thereby causing anyundue friction.

The clasp can be used to fasten two tleXible parts together and can also be used as a hose-supporter or a skirt-supporter, a fold of` the garment being clasped in between the two members. In the form shown in Fig. 4 the base or inner member A has a wide iange a" and a narrower flange or Wing ed, the wide ange a" being provided with a slot Z for a strap F. The other fiange a" prevents the outer member B from twisting on the body ot A, and thus releasing the clasped fabric. The trough-shaped member B is provided with a slotted iiange b" and strap F', being passed through the slot Z in such flange, thus forming a desirable clasp for a dress or stocking supporter.

In practical use the sizes of dili'erent clasps will Vary according to various uses for which they may be designed. vFor a hose-supporter a quarter of an inch in diameter and a halfinch in length will be suitable. The outer member may be made to fit the inner inember more or less loosely, according to the thickness of the fabric to be clamped.

Now, having described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isn l. A clasp composed of two trough-shaped members, one of which has a curved crosssectional contour contracted at the mouth of the trough, and having one limb provided at the mouth ot' the trough with a lateral attaching-flange; and the other of which members is a trou ghshaped spring substantially fitting the first-mentioned member above said flange substantially as set forth.

2. A clasp for fabrics comprising two integral resilient trough shaped members of curved cross-sectional contour contracted at the mouths of the trough and there provided with laterally-projecting attaching flanges and being of such size relative to each otheras to leave a sufficient space between the two members to accommodate the fabric to bc clamped substantially as set forth.

FANNIE C LARIMER. Vitnesses:

JAMES R. TowNsENn, F. M. TowNsnND. 

